Gala recognizes Foster hits

LOS ANGELES, Oct 2, (Agencies): The Globe Theatre at Universal Studios in Hollywood was filled with songs from songwriter and producer David Foster Wednesday night for the LA’s Promise Gala. Kenny G, Ruben Studdard, Kelly Levesque, Julie Delgado and Canadian quartet The Tenors serenaded the crowd.

“It sort of feels like my funeral,” Foster quipped after thanking the talent. “Few people get to witness that.”

Producer Frank Marshall presented the composer with his award, and a video played with a catalog of Foster’s hits throughout the decades, including Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” Celine Dion and Barbara Streisand’s “Tell Him,” Earth Wind & Fire’s “After the Love Has Gone,” Chaka Khan’s “Through the Fire” and many more.

Foster was honored by LA’s Promise along with Amgen President Bob Bradway; he apologized for receiving most of the attention.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get a video man,” Foster joked. “Congratulations to you for not talking about yourself … unlike my video.”

He continued, “Whitney said in her song, ‘The children are our future.’ It’s a simple phrase. It’s even a bit corny, but it’s absolutely the truth.” He further explained why he was especially drawn to LA’s Promise out of the many charities that need help. “My musical career would have had a very different and disappointing outcome if it weren’t for that one teacher: my awesome band teacher.”

Other entertainers echoed the same sentiments when they took the stage to talk about the organization, which transforms failing public schools into new and improved institutions to better Los Angeles neighborhoods.

“Without those teachers in our high school, we wouldn’t have been inspired to play these instruments,” said Kenny G. “What you’re doing with teachers and making schools better for kids is the best there is.”

Along with music, the night was filled with a lot of dancing. Busting the most moves throughout the evening was the host, Melissa Peterman. The “Baby Daddy” actress was dubbed “the new Fergie” after showcasing her rhythm by The Black Eyed Peas member Taboo.

At the end of the ceremony, Foster seated himself at the piano and announced that he wanted to close out with a party. All of the musical acts in addition to some audience members took the stage to bop to Cheryl Lynn’s “Got to Be Real.”

English soft-rocker Phil Collins, one of the most successful artists of the 1980s, will briefly put retirement on hiatus with a charity concert in Miami Beach.

The former Genesis singer will put on an “intimate acoustic” show in the Florida city on Dec 12, the Little Dreams Foundation said Wednesday.

Collins will also be the master of ceremonies for the gala of the Little Dreams Foundation, a charity founded by the singer and his ex-wife Orianne that raises money for disadvantaged young people who want to pursue talents in the arts and sports.

The concert would be the first for the 64-year-old Collins since he announced his retirement in 2011.

He had previously been scheduled to perform at the foundation’s gala in December 2014 but canceled at the last minute, citing health problems that affected his voice.

Janet Jackson is canceling her Oct 9 and Oct 10 shows at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to rest her vocal chords, and the Las Vegas stop on her “Unbreakable” tour will move to a new 20,000-seat arena in May.

Live Nation Entertainment said Thursday that ticketholders will be refunded and have the first chance to buy tickets for the May 14 performance. Tickets go on sale Oct 16.

The move is a loss for Caesars Entertainment Corp, which owns the venue at Planet Hollywood that features regular performances by Britney Spears and soon Jennifer Lopez. MGM Resorts International is working with concert presenter AEG to open the new arena behind MGM’s New York-New York and Monte Carlo resorts in April. Jackson’s comeback album, “Unbreakable,” is being released Friday.